Left Click Sometimes Not Working Control Alt Delete Fix Issue?

newmann · Feb 14, 2024

Windows 11 Pro. Recently I noticed that when I left click on items on the taskbar or on chrome windows, left clicking doesn't work at all with the mouse. The only way to fix this issue is press control alt delete. When you do that, you have to use the down arrowkey on the keyboard and then press enter when it is on task manager. The reason is because you can't just move your mouse and click on task manager. You can't click it with either the mouse or the laptop scrollpad. I use a xps 15 9520 with a wired monitor and 2 external monitors.

Does anyone know the cause of this issue? I googled this and many people mention they have this issue. The thing is I restarted my laptop. I also shut it down and turned it back on. For some reason, this issue keeps happening. So I have to control alt delete and use the keyboard and scroll and enter once on task manager every single time. Now my wireless mouse logitech trackball does have issues but even if it does, wouldn't the laptop scrollpad not have this issue though if clicking on something?

I also recently just did a windows update as I haven't had that message in a long time and figure that would fix this issue but it is still there.

Now when I do type in windows updates, there are several updates available to download.

Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus- KB2267602 Version 1.403.3693.0 - Current Channel (Broad)

2023-02 Cumulative Update for >NET Framework 3.5 and 4.81.1 for Windows 11, version 22H2 for x64 (KB5034467)

Windows 11, version 23H32 is available

All of these give option to download and install. Also there is top option of download and install all. Do I do that and download and install all of these things? Note, my kaspersky total expired a while back so just using the free microsoft defender antivirus since then.

I remember having this issue several times a while back and after a restart, it would fix the issue. But this time it didn't seem to fix it? You can't click anything on the taskbar and say you have several chrome tabs, well you can't click on different tabs when having multiple tabs open. You can't even x it either. Anyone know the reason for this? Is it possible it had something to do with my logitech trackball mouse which has issues? But my touchpad on the laptop shouldn't be affected though right? Because it has same issue.

Wynona · Feb 14, 2024

newmann said:
Windows 11 Pro. Recently I noticed that when I left click on items on the taskbar or on chrome windows, left clicking doesn't work at all with the mouse. The only way to fix this issue is press control alt delete. When you do that, you have to use the down arrowkey on the keyboard and then press enter when it is on task manager. The reason is because you can't just move your mouse and click on task manager. You can't click it with either the mouse or the laptop scrollpad. I use a xps 15 9520 with a wired monitor and 2 external monitors.

Does anyone know the cause of this issue? I googled this and many people mention they have this issue. The thing is I restarted my laptop. I also shut it down and turned it back on. For some reason, this issue keeps happening. So I have to control alt delete and use the keyboard and scroll and enter once on task manager every single time. Now my wireless mouse logitech trackball does have issues but even if it does, wouldn't the laptop scrollpad not have this issue though if clicking on something?

I also recently just did a windows update as I haven't had that message in a long time and figure that would fix this issue but it is still there.

Now when I do type in windows updates, there are several updates available to download.

Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus- KB2267602 Version 1.403.3693.0 - Current Channel (Broad)

2023-02 Cumulative Update for >NET Framework 3.5 and 4.81.1 for Windows 11, version 22H2 for x64 (KB5034467)

Windows 11, version 23H32 is available

All of these give option to download and install. Also there is top option of download and install all. Do I do that and download and install all of these things? Note, my kaspersky total expired a while back so just using the free microsoft defender antivirus since then.

I remember having this issue several times a while back and after a restart, it would fix the issue. But this time it didn't seem to fix it? You can't click anything on the taskbar and say you have several chrome tabs, well you can't click on different tabs when having multiple tabs open. You can't even x it either. Anyone know the reason for this? Is it possible it had something to do with my logitech trackball mouse which has issues? But my touchpad on the laptop shouldn't be affected though right? Because it has same issue.

1. The Mouse problem: Have you considered that your mouse could be defective? Or maybe it needs new batteries? Just a thought. BTW, am I to understand that even using the built-in mouse pad you can't get the left click to work?

2. Use the "Download and Install All" option.

3. I use Microsoft Defender only and haven't had any malware in "aeons".

newmann · Feb 16, 2024

So I did few of the windows updates but not one of them and still have this issue. Is there another way to test this? Maybe restart laptop and try using it for a while without the trackball mouse? Is that a way to test it out? Though hard to do this since I'm using 2 external monitors but that shouldn't matter?

Again my trackball mouse acts very erratic. So it has issues. Many times the green light flashes and mouse doesn't work etc. So is it possible that is the cause? But that would also cause my trackpad to have same issues?

Xerolath · Feb 25, 2024

This occurs when a hidden ghost mouse shows up in device manager. Try this: Windows Tools -> Device Manager -> click "View" on top menu and choose "Show hidden devices" -> scroll to Mice and other pointing devices and expand -> remove any greyed out "hidden" mice that show up here. This worked for me today. I've been troubleshooting for 3 days now.